Aggregate gets permit extension

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday granted Aggregate Industries a six-month extension of its rock-and-soil removal permit following a protracted discussion of perimeter fencing and site security.The unanimous vote was preceded by a public hearing at which Town Meeting member Janet Leuci expressed concern about an access road with an unlocked gate leading to a cell tower in the area of the quarry.According to Leuci, teenagers have been known to drive into the site on dangerous terrain because the gate is not locked. She noted access to the quarry property is difficult from Saugus due to concrete barriers but is relatively unblocked from Melrose.”This is really serious,” she said, describing the situation as a tragedy in the making should a teenager fall off the edge.Leuci said she walked into the area leading to the cell tower with her husband last Friday and again on Tuesday. The padlock to the gate across the road was broken.”Before we have a tragedy we need to do something,” she said, advocating more fencing. “This is a construction company. It’s not going to take much.”Selectman Stephen Horlick said rather than criticize Aggregate, which does business in Saugus as Bardon Trimount Inc. at 1831 Broadway, the board might better contact companies that use the cell tower and send crews to the site for maintenance.The selectmen determined these contractors could be the root of the problem but ordered Aggregate to repair the gate, install a new padlock and to agree to stipulations such as a monthly inspection of the site as well as a perimeter walk.”It has to be a joint responsibility,” Horlick said.Selectman Scott Crabtree made a motion to contact the cell tower owner about the problem.Aggregate spokesman Scott Colby said the gate and lock repeatedly have been damaged or cut away.Selectmen on Tuesday also approved three televisions as part of an entertainment license for Boscy’s Liquors at 216 Broadway and a variance for Northside Donuts, the Dunkin Donuts at 35 Lincoln Ave., related to the restaurant’s grease trap.